Roundel with Candelabra Tree of Life and figures

3rd-7th century CE
Early Byzantine Egypt

Object Type	Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection
Dimensions	3 3/4 x 3 3/4 in. (9.53 x 9.53 cm)
Medium	Linen and wool
Credit Line	Bates College Museum of Art, Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection, Gift of the Marsden Hartley Estate, 1951.2.75.p
Accession Number	1951.2.75.p

For full citations see page for object accession number 1951.2.75.a and piece in Kelsey museum illustrated in Evans as cited below. Classic tree-of-life motif with two figures riding or holding birds at the top of the tree and running or crouching deer below. Birds at the top and running animals, whether deer or others, at the foot is typical.
Citation details appear on page for 1951.2.75a. Most published comparable fragments show this as the center of a sleeve band, usually dated 7th to 10th century or later. See Evans and Ratliffe eds., fig. 60, p. 132, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, Ann Arbor, 7th to 10th century; Carroll, #67, p. 176, very close comparison, dated 11th century.
- Rebecca Corrie, August 20, 2020